“It’s the Renaissance festival.”
“I see that. But…” As our car rolled past the sign that listed the hours, I pointed. “We’re too late. The festival’s closed.”
“It’s closed to the general public. It isn’t closed to us.”
Would I ever get used to the idea that I was dating a man who could make almost anything happen?
Our vehicle pulled up to the front gate, and a man dressed in Renaissance garb hurried up to the car and opened the door for us. “Welcome, My Lady,” he said as he extended a hand to me.
I glanced at Tevin before accepting the man’s help out. “Great pleasures await,” the man added, speaking with an English accent. “This way, My Lord.” He made a sweeping gesture with his arm.
Tevin offered me his arm, which I accepted with a giggle and a, “Thanks,” and off we went, into the world of Renaissance Europe. The minute we passed through the gate, we were greeted by the festival’s queen and king, both dressed in gorgeous bejeweled garb. Each one held a goblet. The queen handed hers to me; and the king handed his to Tevin. “Welcome!” the king said before launching into a rehearsed speech about kings and knights and battles as he led us down a narrow cobblestone path cutting between wood structures that somewhat resembled genuine Tudor shops. Tevin and I exchanged glances as we listened and sipped the spicy wine from the goblets until we stopped in front of a small structure with a castle-like façade. “Your dinner awaits,” the king announced. He and the queen bowed their heads, and we entered the castle.
A page, stationed at the entrance, escorted us to the lone table in the center of the open space. The instant we sat, a group of musicians strolled into the room and took their places in the room’s corner. Soon we were listening to soft music like nothing I’d ever heard before.
“What do you think?” Tevin asked as he reached across the table to take my hand in his. “Is it too silly?”
It was. Kind of. But I liked it. “Silly? No. Not at all.”
“Good. Andr—I mean Andy—suggested it.”#p#分页标题#e#
“I have to say, this is definitely unique.”
A pair of men dressed in Renaissance uniforms entered the room, followed by a second pair. Each carried a tray of food. They paraded up to us in time to the music, setting platters of food on our table before bowing and retreating. I couldn’t help giggling a little. It was a bit much. But I had to give Tevin credit for taking a chance and trying something different.
I checked out the spread. There was fruit, cheese, a bottle of wine, as well as platters of at least three different meats and roasted potatoes and vegetables. I lifted my plate to serve myself, but Tevin gently pulled the plate from my hand.
“What would you like?” he asked.
“It all looks so good. I’ll try a little taste of everything.”
His eyes sparkled, and my breath hitched. “My mother is going to love you.”
I felt my cheeks burning as I stuttered a, “Thank you,” and accepted my plate. I waited until he’d served himself before I lifted my fork.
I started with a vegetable. Delicious. The meat was even better.
“Well?” he asked, brows raised.
“This food is excellent, different than anything I’ve tasted before.”
“It’s all traditional Mordovian food.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes. I thought I would give you a little taste of my country, to see if you liked it.”
“I do.”
“I was hoping you would. There’s so much more—“
“I thought we weren’t going to talk about this tonight,” I interrupted with a smile.
“Yes, that’s right. I’m sorry. I just can’t stop thinking about how much I would enjoy showing you my country. It’s beautiful. The people are friendly. I think you would like it.”
“I’m sure I would. But I’m not ready to tell you I want to hop on a plane in a few days.”
“You don’t have long.”
“I realize that.”
“Will you at least let me help you get your passport? That way you’ll have it if you decide to come.”
“I suppose I could do that much,” I acquiesced as I lifted some more of the delectable meat to my mouth. “That way, even if I don’t go this time, maybe I can go the next.”
“Oh. Yes.” His expression darkened.
A little quiver of concern raced through me. “What is it?”
“Well, I don’t know exactly when I’ll be returning to the States.”
“Oh. But you said you were returning home for some kind of event. I assumed that meant you would come back when you were done.”